Hundreds of Britons are said to have been struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting after a norovirus outbreak on a luxury cruise between Southampton and the US.

More than a quarter of passengers - 252 of 919 - were reported to have been hit by the virus on the Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral.

It is currently on a 34 night 'Old England to New England' cruise, prices for which start at £1,800.

While the ship was docked in Virginia it was boarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officers to assess the situation and gather specimens.

Hundreds of Britons are said to have been struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting after a norovirus outbreak on a luxury cruise between Southampton and the US on the Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral (pictured)

The CDC issued a statement on the outbreak, although Fred. Olsen has since downplayed it by claiming that there were just seven guests in isolation, out of a total of 1,434 guests and crew.

It also dismissed reports the ship, which left the UK on April 16, had been quarantined.

The statement said: 'A gastro-enteritis type illness has affected a number of guests on board...

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'There are currently just seven guests in isolation, out of a total of 1,434 guests and crew on board, and the incidences have substantially reduced.

'There are two US nationals on board this cruise, with the majority of guests being from the UK.'

The crew has stepped up cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Passenger Robert Bruce, who lives in northern England, told the Virginian-Pilot that he and his wife have enjoyed the cruise despite the incident. He told the paper the reports of illness spiked on April 20.

According to Fred. Olsen, it is believed the highly-contagious gastric illness was brought onto the ship. It is spread by person-to-person – or surface-to-surface – contact.

Norovirus outbreaks happen when many people are in a small area, including places such as nursing homes, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and cruise ships (file photo)

Its statement added: 'Fred. Olsen is co-operating fully with all the necessary maritime agencies and authorities,‎ as she continues on her cruise, and will continue to make every effort possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all its guests and crew on board, which is of paramount ‎importance.

'Fred. Olsen exceeds the requirements of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in that it isolates its guests in their rooms for 48 hours, instead of the 24 hours required by the CDC.

'Fred. Olsen’s cruise ships meet, at all times, the highest safety, hygiene and health standards, and comply fully with the strict requirements and inspections of their Flag State, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other relevant authorities.'

Norovirus outbreaks happen when many people are in a small area, including places such as nursing homes, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and cruise ships.